Kai Degner » Civic Engagement

We did it! 962 Turkeys for the Salvation Army!

kaidegner — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:57:02 +0000

Thanks to Cargill’s donation of 478 turkeys today, the community has stepped up to provide the Salvation Army 962 turkeys for families applying for Thanksgiving Day assistance! The turkeys, food, and cash donated at the Sustainability Summit on Saturday were part of this progress – and not only for the obvious. If you listen to end of the news report about the donation, the broadcaster mentions a “One on One Interview” with Bob Corso, where Cargill heard about the need. That was when I mentioned the Community Mediation Center’s Sustainability Summit and the associated food drive!

So, congratulations for making a difference. Of course, there is still much need, as shown in today’s other story: the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank has seen their need increase 30% this year. Keep it coming!

Harrisonburg Turkey Drive on November 14

kaidegner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:16:18 +0000

As you may know, my day job is at the Community Mediation Center, where I coordinate a program called “Harrisonburg Summits.” The summits have been extremely successful and we’re hosting the next one Saturday at Memorial Hall from 11:30-1:00pm.

I’m doubly excited this time to be partnering with the Salvation Army to have a food drive to provide Thanksgiving Day meals to 1,000 families in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area.

Can you come by to contribute food? Can your office or business contribute a turkey? Can you find five people to donate a turkey?

Mayor Cam: Harrisonburg Veterans Day Parade

kaidegner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:18:26 +0000

Think of it as an “inside out” parade – a rickety video shot of parade watchers from atop the fire truck as I joined city council members and the city manager in the Veterans Day Parade. After the parade, a new Veterans Memorial was dedicated at the rebuilt Veterans Stadium. Along with Congressman Goodlatte, Superviser Breeden and JMU President Rose, I shared a few words (below the video).

Thank you. It is an honor to be here on behalf of the city council and the residents of Harrisonburg to dedicate this memorial to fallen soldiers of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

This memorial shall stand as a reminder for us of each individual person who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation, our freedom, and peace on Earth.

As we begin attending baseball games and other activities in this beautiful new stadium, we have the opportunity to not only honor our fallen each time we pass the memorial, but to do their acrifice justice by remembering what their sacrifice made possible.

They allowed for us to peacefully gather here today; to have a safe place to raise a family and educate our youth; to make America, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the central Shenandoah Valley a destination for people from around the world who come to call this place home.

Most importantly, the soldiers we honor today protected our ability to add our voice to the decisions made by our government. Whether it be about a golf course, a school being sold, chickens in the backyard, or how to best provide for for the health and welfare of our citizens, we can honor our fallen soldiers and those who serve, past and present, by participating vigorously and respectfully in our democracy with each passing day.

May this memorial stand to honor our fallen and the core principles of the democracy they fought to protect. Let us never forget them or disrespect them by not casting the votes – our votes – that they died to protect.

At Campaign Headquarters for the Democrats in Harrisonburg

kaidegner — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:57:20 +0000

The moon was full this morning as I headed over to join the local Democratic organizers for today’s Election Day. I’m a precinct captain, which means I’m the first point of contact for volunteers in the Simms District in Harrisonburg. It’s exciting to be part of a campaign and see the energy of campaign volunteers after a couple sleepless nights.

Twitter users, stay tuned by following me @kaidegner on Twitter or join a conversation with the #hburgeday09 hashtag.